A Yunv - Representative Inheritor of Bulang Ethnic Costume-making Skill Project in Shidian County, Baoshan

A Yunu (阿玉女), a folk artist of the Blang ethnic group (布朗族), comes from Mulaoyuan Township (木老元乡), Shidian County (施甸县), Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan Province (云南省).
She is recognized as a core inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project of Blang costume-making techniques (布朗族服饰制作技艺). With her skilled hands and deep cultural devotion, she safeguards the unique “cultural code” embedded in Blang clothing.

Craft Inheritance and the Meaning of Blang Costume

Learning from Childhood

Since childhood, A Yunu learned the craft of traditional costume-making from her mother and village elders. She has mastered the entire complex process, including:

• Spinning and weaving

• Dyeing and cutting

• Sewing and embroidery

Costume as “Living History”

The costumes she creates are not only practical garments for daily life but also “history books worn on the body”, reflecting the Blang people’s heritage, identity, and aesthetic values.

Blang costumes are known for their:

• Vivid colors and exquisite craftsmanship

• Distinctive styles of women’s clothing, often including headscarves, long shirts, short jackets, aprons, and pleated skirts

• Embroidered motifs such as Horse Chestnut flowers (马缨花) and Rhododendrons (杜鹃花), which symbolize both a love for nature and wishes for good fortune

A Yunu’s artistry lies not only in preserving ancient methods faithfully, but also in her profound understanding of the cultural stories behind the patterns and symbols.

Cultural Value and Contribution to Heritage

With modernization rapidly changing traditional ways of life, few people still master the full set of Blang costume-making techniques. This makes inheritors like A Yunu especially precious.

She plays a dual role as both:

• Craft bearer: keeping the traditional techniques alive

• Cultural transmitter: teaching apprentices, participating in cultural exhibitions, and contributing to intangible heritage documentation projects

Through her efforts, the unique cultural identity of the Blang—one of China’s smaller ethnic groups—continues to be preserved and shared. Her dedication adds to the protection of China’s rich cultural diversity and ensures the survival of this remarkable tradition.